http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=785508

The Sowetan 17/6/2008

‘Give us land to build on’

17 June 2008
Mhlaba Memela

No dignity in hand-outs

Protesters numbering about 3000 yesterday took to the streets to highlight their need for houses – and also that, instead of developers, they want to build them themselves.

The protesters, mainly women and youths, demanded that city officials provide them with land so they can build “better houses than the low-cost houses the government is providing”.

Federation of the Urban and Rural Poor (FDUP) president Patrick Magebhula, in Durban, said they could build four-bedroom houses with the same amount of money that the government uses to build one-bedroom houses.

The unemployed women and youths were saving between 50c and R1 a day towards buying building materials, he said.

But the council had refused to provide land for them.

“We have councillors who are anti-community development because they benefit from the developers,” Magebhula said.

He said the FDUP had been involved in more than 18 building projects in areas that included KwaMashu and Newlands.

Magebhula said the majority of FDUP members had no jobs but had nevertheless been able to save a little to bring back dignity by working together to build dignified homes.

“Even Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has approved our approach in building houses for ourselves rather than to give the money to the developers,” Magebhula said.

The protesters, who stopped traffic in Durban, marched to hand over a memorandum to Zamo Ngobese, the informal settlement programme officer in the eThekwini housing department.

? All empty buildings be made available to the FDUP to accommodate poor people;

? About 2000 serviced sites be made available in the inner city yearly;

? One racecourse be converted to build homes for the poor; and

? Council stop evictions and work with the poor to fund alternative development.

The protesters said they had nothing to commemorate during Youth Month as long as the eThekwini municipality councillors fought against and discouraged people from gaining self-reliance.

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=763174

ICD to probe burning of boy by police claim

09 May 2008
Mhlaba Memela

Wounded: A 16-year-old boy who was allegedly burnt by police who claimed that he was a drug dealer shows his wounds. Photo: Mhlaba Memela

The Independent Complaints Directorate has taken up the case of the family of a 16-year-old boy who was accused of dealing in drugs and then allegedly beaten and burnt with a hot iron by the police .

It is said that members of the SAPS at Durban Central police station stormed his home after receiving a tip-off that he was selling drugs.

The police allegedly manhandled the boy in his mother’s flat and burnt him with an iron, demanding confession.

His family opened a case of assault against the officers in December – but up to now nothing has been done.

Directorate spokesman Dikeledi Phiri said they would investigate once they had compiled a statement from the family. She said the matter had come to their attention only after Sowetan had reported on it.

The victim’s mother, Phumla Ngoma, said all they wanted was for justice to take its course.

Phiri said they would send investigators to speak to the victim and “assist the family in laying a formal complaint with us”.

“We will also get the docket from the police to see how far they have gone with investigations. The allegations are very serious,” she said.

Meanwhile, SABC reporter Nhlanhla Nxele was allegedly assaulted by police while walking in Durban on Tuesday night.

Nxele had accidentally stepped on the cop’s toes and apologised. But the police allegedly dragged him into their vehicle and drove away with him.

“They took me to a certain dam and beat me up. They also ordered me to jump into the dam,” Nxele said.

Police spokesman Vincent Mdunge confirmed that Nxele had opened a case against the police.

“We will investigate the matter and take the necessary steps against the officers,” he said.